Page 87 - QDG Vol. 9 No. 2 CREST

1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Keith’s graveside and read out the Regi- mental Collect on our behalf.
If you live locally or are visiting Cardiff and can go to Llandaff Cathedral you will see that the Standard is finally hanging over the Regimental Memorial, completing our spiritual home here in Wales. The Regimental Secretary initially tried to put it in place earlier in the year using a triple ladder, however after much Elvis knee, realisation of mortality and egging on by Father Mark, the Cathe- dral’s Canon Precentor, he chickened out and hired a local Ely firm of scaffolders to assist. I think you will all agree that the Regimental Memorial looks splendid and is a fitting tribute to our fallen comrades.
I would once again like to thank all those of you who donate to our Regi- mental Benevolence Fund, via the 1 Day’s Pay Scheme, donations straight to the Trust and through our Virgin Money Giving page on the RCA website. All benevolence grants awarded, many of which are life changing, are gratefully received with HHQ receiving many letters and phone calls of thanks on your behalf. Virgin Money Giving ceased to operate in December, so we now use ‘Give as you Live’ as our online donation platform, the new link can be found under the donate tab on the RCA website and I would ask you to please use this if you wish to give
as it hugely simplifies our claiming of Gift Aid. This past year has been a very quiet one for benevolence, so far, we have only given out ten grants, hopefully, because the Armed Forces Covenant is now more widely understood and simplifies the access to assistance for our service personnel, veterans and their immediate families. We have also awarded quar- terly, annual, fuel and Christmas grants and distributed Christmas hampers to members of our Regimental family. The total value of grants awarded by the Regi- mental Benevolence Fund in 2021 has been £10,119.98. We have also once again received great support from the ABF, BLESMA, H4H, RBL, and SSAFA.
As you have read, your support is vital in assisting those comrades, serving and retired, or their immediate families that find themselves in times of need. If you know of anybody who is struggling, please contact HHQ in the first instance, all information is treated in confidence and with discretion.
To finish I would once again like to thank all who have supported the HHQ team over this difficult and challenging year, if you have any queries or ques- tions, please don’t hesitate in contacting the team, or if you find yourself in Cardiff pop in for a cup of tea and a chat.
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Cardiff
Reunion
Dinner
After a few disappointing and costly dinners in Cardiff’s hotels we were fortunate to be invited by the Free Masons of Cardiff to use their hall in Guildford Street for our 2021 Dinner. Although there were a few initial queries and worries from a small number of us I think you’ll all agree that Chris and his Committee organised a cracking Dinner and follow up entertainment. Over eighty of us sat down to eat with many more congregating in the bar area. The Band and Drums of Gwent and Powys Army Cadet Force played for us during the meal and were outstanding and even I was shocked by how many boogied on the dancefloor, obviously helped by the very competitively priced bever- ages and energised by the late night bacon butties! I think we can all agree that it was a great location to hold our reunion, the food and drink were good, and we were extremely well looked after by the Hall’s team, a venue to return to.
The Following Association members sat down for dinner:
Brig Richmond, Maj Larminie, Maj Mansel, Maj Ruggles-Brise, Maj Garland, Lt Col Brace, Mr C Jones, Maj Matthews, Mr G Jones, Maj O’Shea, Mr D Way, Mr N Davies, Mrs Davies, Mr Crane, Mr D Rash, Mr P Ford, Mrs Ford, Mr Humphreys, Ms E Lloyd, Mr C Gibbons, Mrs Gibbons, Mr Walker, Mrs Walker, Mrs Patalano, Mr Sullivan, Mr Williams, Mrs Williams, Mr Churchill, Mrs Churchill, Mr Yoxall, Mr Burman, Mr Dicken, Mr Jones, Mr Burgess, Mr Scott, Mr Hallewell, Mr Pickford, Mr Reed, Miss Lloyd, Lt Fulloway, Lt Swailes, Lt Clarke, WO2 Navunis- aravi, Sgt Grills, Cpl May, Tpr Hill, Tpr Dempsey, Tpr Rowland, Mr Harrison, Mrs Harrison, Mr Thayer, Mrs Thayer, Col Deacon, Mrs Deacon, Lt Col Bell, Mrs Bell, Mr Duruty de Lloyd, Miss Forse, Mr J Schumskji, Mr Clare, Mr Hughes, Mr Whitehead, Mr Chilcott, Mr Thorley, Mr Andrews, Mrs Andrews, Mr Clare, Mrs Clare, Mr Hawtin, Mr Tyndall, Lt Col Corfield, Maj Corfield, Mr Seddon, Mr Burns, Mrs Burns, Mr Evans, Mr Williams, Mr Lee, Mr Maskell, Mr Palmer, Mr Prest, Mr Kear, Maj Jones.
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